What will you focus on today?

Choice is a powerful tool when it comes to stress perception. What we give attention to grows.

Which is why we must make the conscious decision to talk about our blessings more than our challenges. Our strengths more than our stressors. Our excitement more than our fears. Our possibilities more than our problems.

While encouraging thoughts / focus (eg. I am safe at work. I am needed. I am valued for my creativity) lift us up to the penthouse of our brains / higher state of consciousness. A place where people flourish. A place where hopes & dreams come true.

Hello Andrea. Great post and great reminder for us all, and it is so true. What we focus on expands. Because of this, whether we realize it or not, in a way, we are creating our own worlds all the time. Peace and Blessings

“Whether we realize it or not, in a way, we are creating our own worlds all the time.”

Well said Craig!

And together we must remind people of the genius inventor that lives within us all. As we are both the canvas & the paint brush. And if the entire world EMBRACED their CREATivity – my o’ my what a colourful life this could be. 🎨 💃

Especially since it takes zero energy to think a negative thought during disappointments & struggles (big or small). This is because our brains are biologically “primed” for defense / attack aka “Fight or Flight.” No matter how mundane or innocuous “the predator.” The amygdala is a one switch brain mechanism. No gradients.

– Eg. The expensive coffee I just bought tastes ice cold.
– Ugh! The week is already taking a downturn..
– Time to quit the day & go back to bed.

While a positive thought takes 10x the conscious effort / energy. This is because we have to override our brain’s inborn, instinctive negativity bias.

That said: It is possible (as you know & live) to overturn negativity, it just takes conscious, deliberate self-talk. A remembering of all the “choice tools” in our toolbox.

– Eg., Breathe. It’s ok. It’s just a moment in time.
– Life ain’t so bad.
– Cold coffee has just as much caffeine as hot coffee.
– And besides….. I’m alive!

This is interesting how our brain is biologically primed for defense and positive thought takes 10 times the conscious effort. We believe it is all about deliberate positive self talk although there are times when we cop out to the negative. We are a work in process, lol. Thank you for making time to share this with us so we continue growing!!!!!

Negativity is so tempting! I partake myself. So tasty in the moment. Not so much over time. But that’s what makes life so interesting. The contrast. The choice. The challenge. The change. Grateful for it all. Some days more than others… 😎

Sometimes it grabs us before we know it and then we nip in the bud so as not to get bogged down. So true about it being a challenge at times. That’s why its so great to surround oneself with positive like your post.

Reblogged this on Putting Mindfulness Into Practice and commented:
I am trying to be mindful -every day- and focus on my possibilities. Everybody could do the same! I encourage you to read the following article:

So very true Andrea, how often we get sidetracked and pulled into a negative frame of mind. It’s so important to keep shifting our focus back to the positive. Thanks for another reminder of what’s important.

So, so true. I used to always focus on the negative things, until they grew into uncontrollable monsters. It has taken a lot of mind training, persistence and frustration with myself to change this around. But it can be done, and it has changed my life for the better 🙂